And the insistence by the organizers of some events in the railroad enthusiast hobby on programs being done in Pro Show may limit their options. Most people in the commercial railroad industry use PowerPoint.

PC

That's a good point. Companies these days are making people work a lot of extra time (especially if they're salary) and the often-repeated older corporate phrase, "work/life balance" is really the punchline of a joke with many employers now. Where I work, we just finished over 18 straight months of mandatory overtime every week (usually an extra 10+ hours a week) and have some again this month. Until a month or two ago, counting on having a weekend to do anything other than being at the office was a foolish thing to hope for. And all requests for time off are denied as company policy (you have to have your boss override that and they get in trouble if they do it too often). I had to fight to get time off for jury duty! Other people who work for my company in other regions are still working that kind of timeframe. Employers couldn't care less and bosses will remind you of the current economy and tell you that you should be thankful that you have a job. I know of someone who's worked every weekend since 2009 (and that's an addition to a full 40-hour work week) and he's one step away from losing his mind. When you're dealing with that, it's tough not to laugh at people who ask for you to donate what might be the only day off you have for the month to mow weeds or pull spikes while the retirees of the 'old guard' at the museum get to run the trains...

The Railroad Club of Chicago lives on!

The Railroad Club of Chicago and Shortlines of Chicago Historical Society have agreed to merge. A new not for profit corporation will succeed both organizations, to be incorporated later this month. Programs resume in September, so we will have not missed a program.

Web site for The Railroad Club of Chicago and Shortlines of Chicago Historical Society

Phone number for program announcements: 312 725-0432

Program announcements by email: SCHS Yahoo group or schs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


Note new location:

Chicago Union Station
500 W. Jackson Blvd Rm 107A
Chicago, Illinois

The first floor is one flight up from the main waiting room. There's also a direct entrance from Jackson Blvd, just three steps from the sidewalk.

Programs shall be presented at 7:30 pm on the third Friday of the month, except July and August.

Here is a list of scheduled programs:

September 21, 2012
The Modern Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, by Bill Gustason, co-author of Indiana Harbor Belt in Color, published by Morning Sun Books, 2011.

October 19, 2012
The Settle to Carlisle Railway by John B Keith, a line on the English border with Scotland.

November 16, 2012
BNSF Operations in Chicago by Clayton S. Johanson

I recall the CERA meetings years ago heavily attended, big rooms required.
A recent meeting I went to walking in my group passed lots of youngsters hanging around the nearby shops, skateboarding on the sidewalk, general yakking it up, I almost wanted to tag a few invite them up to the meeting, but there were fairly sparse attendance, but the meeting went on.

And ironically the CTA was pounding the rails above nearby.

I think the reality about merger mania happenned with the Penn Central, 2 of the most iconic competing lines.....merged....to me that was almost pathetic, and I watched, as equipment, lines wore out, ageing equipment, you would think they could have thought of a more dynamic sounding name, but Penn Central was just...blah.
Ironcally, some model railroaders actually model this, its like the backwoods logging line pushed mainline, a lot of frugality, shortcomings and on edge survival.

The internet has altered the spectrum, and the Railroad Club of Chicago should recognize that and take advantage. I may have not been able to do a lot of things without the internet today. Its like the hobby shop, I just add it to the realm of existance.

re: The Merger:
It sounds to me that the structure of the resulting organization will be substantially similar to what existed previously--which implies that the same issues still exist, just under a different name. Perhaps I am wrong. If so, please correct me.
It must be acknowledged that mergers of this sort only stave off the inevitable. What must change is the fundamental culture of such organizations. It must move from one where deeply-interested fellows meet for their own enjoyment to one where it is recognized that the very memory of railroad x and its importance to history might die with the current members. The preservation community, of cars, planes, trains, everything, has reached a precipice: If it does not change focus, the memories will die and the significance will be lost. That cliff is not twenty or thirty years down the road--it is today.
I am part of a local museum that has begun said cultural shift after many years of infighting and membership decline. It has pulled me in with a Brakeman's training program and in my spare time up at the museum, I am acquainting myself with the shop. In training, I was one of two who had just finished high school and we were with a young busy professional of about 30 years of age. A revised culture that encourages learning and enjoyment and outreach will bring in new members. Organizations that retain the old culture will continue to be enjoyed by those already present, but face the treat of extinction if they do not change.
This is my perspective on the issue.
Ryan

Chicago Union Station should be easier for suburban residents to get to than the previous meeting location of Railroad Club of Chicago. With regard to Shortlines of Chicago Historical Society, it had been a few years since we had given a program, and the new program series is on a shortlines topic.

I've solved some problems. I found a better location and I'm able to keep the programs going. There are others to solve, plus issues to deal with when starting a new organization.

You might check out one of our programs, 7:30 pm, 3rd Friday of each month except July and August, Chicago Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd., Rm. 107A. Use the Jackson entrance between Canal and Clinton. The first floor is one flight up from the main waiting room.

Or at the very least, wish us good luck in getting the new organization going.